OPENING UP ON MAY 1. >> HERE AT CAFE 501, SIGNS THAT COVID-19 IS OUR NEW NORMAL. TAKE A LOOK AT THE SIGN. KEEP YOUR DISTANCE. YOU GO INTO THE DINING ROOM, THESE TABLES AND CHAIRS WILL BE AT LEAST SIX FEET APART. THE OWNER SANG A COULD BE MID-MAY BEFORE THEY REOPEN. >> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL OF THE KINKS ARE WORKED OUT. >> PETER HOLLOWAY HAS BEEN IN THE RESTAURANT FOR MORE THAN FOUR DECADES PUTTING CAFE 501. -- INCLUDING CAFE 501. >> I DO NOT THINK ANYBODY COULD EXPECT ANYTHING LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN. JUST TRYING TO WORK OUT THE MECHANICS OF FULL-SERVICE RESTAURANTS. >> HE SAYS A MAY 1 OPENING MIGHT BE TOO SOON. TOCO WAITING TABLES, WORKING FROM ONE TABLE TO ANOTHER, TRYING TO KEEP SOCIAL DISTANCE. >> GOING FROM SOBER TO PLASTIC WARE TO KEEP CUSTOMERS SAFE. >> WE HAVE TO WORK THROUGH THOSE DETAILS. >> HE SAYS HIS DINING ROOM WILL SCALE DOWN CONSIDERABLY TO KEEP UP WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING PRACTICES. BIG CHANGES HE SAYS COULD TAKE LONGER THAN MAY 1. WORKING WITH BOTH THE STATE AND NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO DETERMINE HOW TO MOVE FORWARD. >> GIVE EVERYONE THE CHANCE TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION AS OWNERS AND OPERATORS. >> HE SAYS THEY WILL CONTINUE THEIR CURBSIDE AND DELIVERY SERVICE AND DETERMINE WHEN THEY WILL OFFICIALLY REOPEN.

Restaurants are allowed to reopen May 1, but some say they’ll need more time. Café 501’s owner said he isn’t ready to open May 1. “We want to make sure all the kinks are worked out,” said owner Peter Holloway. Holloway has been in the restaurant business for more than four decades and owns several across the metro, including the two Cage 501 locations and Boulevard Steakhouse. “I don’t think anybody could ever expect anything like this to happen,” he said. COVID-19 is changing the way Holloway and other restaurant owners do business. "Trying to work out the mechanics for a full-service restaurant,” he said of the challenge of reopening in the COVID-19 era. The challenges to a May 1 reopening are numerous. "Waiting tables. Working from one table to another. Trying to keep social distance. Trying to communicate with the guest,” he said.Holloway plans to use plasticware rather than silverware to keep customers safe. "If we need disposable menus. We've got a work through all those details,” he said. Café 501’s Classen Curve dining room holds 130 guests. He said he plans to scale down considerably to keep proper social distancing. Such changes could push his restaurants past May 1. Holloway is working with the Oklahoma Restaurant Association and state Health Department to determine how to move forward. "Then give everybody the chance to make their own decision as owners and operators,” he said of when to reopen. Holloway’s restaurants will continue to offer curbside pickup and delivery.

OKLAHOMA CITY —

Restaurants are allowed to reopen May 1, but some say they’ll need more time.

Café 501’s owner said he isn’t ready to open May 1.

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“We want to make sure all the kinks are worked out,” said owner Peter Holloway.

Holloway has been in the restaurant business for more than four decades and owns several across the metro, including the two Cage 501 locations and Boulevard Steakhouse.

“I don’t think anybody could ever expect anything like this to happen,” he said.

COVID-19 is changing the way Holloway and other restaurant owners do business.

"Trying to work out the mechanics for a full-service restaurant,” he said of the challenge of reopening in the COVID-19 era.

The challenges to a May 1 reopening are numerous.

"Waiting tables. Working from one table to another. Trying to keep social distance. Trying to communicate with the guest,” he said.

Holloway plans to use plasticware rather than silverware to keep customers safe.

"If we need disposable menus. We've got a work through all those details,” he said.

Café 501’s Classen Curve dining room holds 130 guests. He said he plans to scale down considerably to keep proper social distancing.

Such changes could push his restaurants past May 1. Holloway is working with the Oklahoma Restaurant Association and state Health Department to determine how to move forward.

"Then give everybody the chance to make their own decision as owners and operators,” he said of when to reopen.

Holloway’s restaurants will continue to offer curbside pickup and delivery.